Means for regulating operation of elevator or traveling cars



(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 1. P. L. EMERY. MEANS FOR. REGU'LATING OPERATION OF ELEVATORS 0R TRAVELING GABS No. 594,069. Patented Nov. 23, 1897.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

F. L. EMERY.

MEANS FOR REGULATING OPERATION OF ELEVATORS OR TRAVELING CARS.

No. 694,069. vPatented Nov. 23,1897.

ea i ea a 15% WM 66% 16 g g?- F18 (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

- I. L. EMERY. MEANS FOR REGULATING OPERATION OF ELEVATORS 0R TRAVELING CARS.

No. 594,069. Patented Nov. 23, 1897.

llNTTEn STATES PATENT EETcE.

FREDERICK L. EMERY, OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MEANS FOR REGULATING OPERATION OF ELEVATOR OR TRAVELING CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 594,069, dated November 23, 1897.

Application filed December 11, 1896. Serial No. 615,303. (No model.)

To all whom 223 may concern/.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK L. EMERY, of Lexington, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Means for Regulating the Operation of Elevator or Traveling Cars, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters and numerals on the drawings representing like parts.

In modern office and other buildings employing elevator service great inconvenience and annoyance are usually experienced by reason of the irregular running of the elevator-cars, it frequently happening that two or more and sometimes all of the cars are either at the top or at the bottom of the building at the same time. In many instances the services of one or more men are required to superintend or direct the running of the elevator-cars, but with unsatisfactory results, because of the inability of such men on any one floor to control the movements of the cars after they leave that floor.

The object of this present invention is to provide means, electrical or otherwise, by which to insure the running of a plurality of elevator or equivalent cars with predetermined regularity or order.

My invention comprehends means for audibly or otherwise indicating to the elevatoroperator the desired time for beginning the ascent or descent and also, if desired, means for preventing the operator of any elevatorcar from setting it in motion at other times than the proper times.

In the drawings, Figure 1, in diagram, illustrates one embodiment of my invention in connection with two elevator-cars; Fig. 2, a diagram illustrating one embodiment of my invention in connection with four elevatorcars; Fig. 3, means embodying my invention -for positively controlling the running of the elevator-cars, and Figs. 4 and 5 details of the controlling devices of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1, A A are two elevator-cars of usual or desired construction and actuated in any usual or desired manner, as through the medium of cables at a.

At the top of the elevator-well I have herein arranged indicators, preferably audible as well as visible, and shown as in the form of at S, from which a wire 1 leads to both bells b b, thence to the fixed contacts 2 8. Connected with the cooperating movable contacts 4 5 are the wires 6 7, which lead to the fixed contacts 8 9 at the bottom of the elevator-well and include, respectively, the indicators c 0', also shown as bells. Cooperating with the fixed contacts 8 and 9 is the movable switch member or lever 10, fulcrumed at 11 and arranged with its ends in the line of travel of the cars A A, the said lever being joined by a wire 12 with the source of electricity S.

WVith the parts as shown in Fig. 1 the operation is as follows: The circuit from the generators S through the bells b and 0 being complete, both bells will sound and the operators of both cars will start the latter, each toward the opposite end of the well. As the descending car A reaches the bottom of the well it will strike the switch-lever 10 and depress it upon the fixed contact 8, closing at that point the circuit of the bells c and b, but said bells will not sound until the other car A reaches the top of the well in order to move the contact 4 in to electrical engagement with the fixed contact 2, thereby completing the circuit through both bells c and b, causing both to move and sound, and thereby indicate to the operators in the two cars A and A, the one at the top and the other at the bottom of the well, that the other car has reached the opposite end of the well and that both may now start on their return trips, the car A to descend and the car A to ascend. Assuming the ascending car A to reach the top of the well before the car A reaches the bottom, said car A will move the contact 5 into electrical engagement with the fixed contact 3 and at that point close the circuits of the bells Z) and 0, but said bells will not sound until the other car A, reaching the bottom of the well, shifts the lever 10 from the position in which it was left by the car A into position in electrical engagem ent with the fixed contact 'a bell.

9, thereby completing the circuit of said bells Z) and c and causing the same to move and sound, and thereby indicate to each operator that the other car has reached the end of its travel. Neither car 011 reaching the end of its travel will commence the return trip until the sounding of its bell or movement of its indicator shows that the other car, moving in an opposite direction, has reached the end of its travel, and it matters not how much one car may reach the end of its travel in ad Vance of the other its bell will not ring until the said other car has reached the end of its travel. Desired or predetermined regularity or order of operation of the cars is thus insured. Neither bell will ring if both cars be atthe same end of the well at the same time. Hence if the operators of the respective cars be instructed to begin the ascent or descent only when the bell sounds absolute regularity of running is insured i. at, one elevator-ear must always be at the top of the well when the other is at the bottom, and vice versa, and both cars can never be at the top or bottom at the same time except the indicators be disregarded.

The indicators Z) Z) and c 0', while shown as in the form of bells and therefore primarily audible alarms, are in fact by their vibrations also visual as well as audible, and they may be of any othertype or form so long as their operation or change is capable of indicating to the operator the times for starting the cars.

The fixed and movable contacts 2 4.- and 3 and the contacts 3 9 with the cooperating lever 10 are all types of circuit-changing or switch devices, the operation of which is directly by the cars or is set in motion or caused by the movement of the cars or some part connected thereto or operated in conjunction therewith.

Referring now to Fig. 2, illustrating one arrangement of devices for a group of four ele vator-cars, the ears D D D D are arranged and operated in any usual or desired manner. The two middle cars D and 1') are shown as having their indicators substantially as in Fig. 1, except that a single bell c at the bottom may serve for both cars. The corresponding; parts are therefore lettered eorrespomlin 'ly to Fig. 1 and will be understood without :Further description to operate in substantially the same manner.

The car D at the top of its well has an indieator 12 shown a bell, and at the loottom of its well an indicator 0 also shown as The car D has similarly-arranged and like indicators I) and c, as shown.

At the top of the well for the car D, I have provided the fixed and movable contacts 15 16, and at the top of the well for the car D the fixed and movable contacts 17 1S, arranged to be moved, respectively, into electrical engagement with each other by the mov iug cars. At the bottom of the well I have arranged two fixed contacts 19 20, and eoiiperating with which are the movable memhers or levers 21 22, fulcrumed at 23 Q-i and adapted to be engaged by the cars l.) I) in their descent. The said levers 21 and are shown suitably connected, as by the rod J5, whereby movement of one causes opposite movement of the other.

The generator or source of electricity Li has one pole connected by wire 2b with the indicator I) and with the fixed contact 15, the cooperating and movable contact 16 being con-- nected by wire 27 with the fixed contact at the bottom of the well. The opposite pole of the generator S is connected by wire 28 with the indicator l) and fixed contact 17, the cooperating movable contact 18 being eonnected by wire 29 with the fixed contact 19 at the bottom of the well.

The fulcra of the levers El 22 at the bot tom of the well are shown connected, respec tively, by wires 30 31 with the wires 2 28 at opposite sides of the generator said wires 30 ll including the indicators c and c referred to.

The cars 1) and D are controlled one by the other precisely as the cars l) l) are controlled by each other, no further description being herein required, .it being understood, however, that both elevators D and 1)" must in each instance reach the ends of their travel before the indicators will sound or operate, indicating that the return will be commenced.

From the foregoing it will be readily understood that one skilled in the art maysuitably arrange devices like those shown or equivalent devices for controlling the operation of any number of cars in any desired order, bearing in mind that the location of the controlling devices along the well or their times of operation by the cars or otherwise will determine the times of sounding the alarms or moving the indicators and the resulting times of starting the various ears with relation to each other.

Referring now to Figs. 3 to 5, inclusive, i will describe one simple manner of preventing the cars from. moving except at the required times. In Fig. 3 is illustrated an ele vator-operating mechanism oi. common and well-known form, it comprifng, generally, the bed E and drum it, rotated by the two usual intermesh in gworm-whee s (not shown) mounted, respectively, upon the shafts c c, said worm-wheels being driven in usual manner by right and left worms on the wormshaft 0 to which is directly coupled the armature of the motor M. The current for operating the motor is controlled by a usual rheostat, the arm of which indicated at r,

the same being actuated by or from the usual shipper-wheel f, mounted on. the shaft 1" and actuated by the usual SlllPPOlFI'OPO f", all of which will be well understood by those skilled in the art. To accon'iplish in one manner my present object, I have for convenience extended the shaft 0 (see Figs. and 5) to a considerable distance at one side of the ma chine and have cut thereupon a worm or screw-thread oi required pitch.

At one side of the extended screw-shaft c I have arranged nets 0 0 on the respective carriers, and included, for instance, in the circuits or wires 6 and 7 of Fig. 1, furnish means for withdrawing these stops from engagement with the lugs on the shipper-Wheel to release the latter when desired. The pivoted stops are herein shown as so mounted that they will by friction or otherwise remain in either of the positions into which they may be moved, they being moved in one direction by their magnets o 0 and in the opposite direction by suitable means,- as the stops p p, Figs. 4c and 5.

The operation is as follows, viz: Movement of the shipper-wheel in the direction of the arrow 50 thereon, Fig. 3,will cause the mechanism to operate to move the elevator-car, the screw-shaft c rotating in the direction ofthe arrow thereon, Fig. 3, causing the carriers h 71 to travel to the right, Figs. 4 and 5. By

"the time the elevator reaches the end of its travelsay the ascent of car A, Fig. 1the carrier h will have been moved so close to the shipper-wheel that the end of the stop M will pass behind the lug n on that side of the said shipper-wheel and will prevent rotation of said wheel in a direction opposite the arrow, Fig. 3, to an extent such as would be neces sary to cause descent of the elevator-car. The car on reaching the top is then prevented from descending. When, however, the other car A reaches the bottom of the well, the circuit through the magnets 0 0 is completed, it being herein shown as the circuit of the indicators b c, and will energize said magnets, causing the magnet 0 to draw its stop 1% out from the path of movement of the lug n on the shipper-W11 eel, releasing the latter to permit descent of the car. During the descent of the car A the screw-shaft e rotates in a di-' rection opposite the arrow 60,Fig. 3,and causes the carriers h 71 to travel to the left, Figs. 4: and 5, until, as the elevator-car reaches the end of its travel, the carrier 72. reaches a position close up to the shipper-wheel f carrying its lock m back of the stop-lng n at that side of said wheel and preventing a rotation of the wheel in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 3, sufficient to cause ascent of the car A until the other car A reaches the end of its ascent, completing the circuit of the magnets o o, causing the latter to withdraw said lock m from behind said lug it, when the car A may ascend.

The means described is typical. of means for regulating the moving of the cars by temporarily locking them or removing them from the control of the operators until the desired times for starting arrives.

The indicating mechanism and the mechanism for looking or removing the cars from the control of the operators may be used conjointly, as shown, or either alone, as desired.

Obviously my invention is not limited to the embodiment herein shown and described, for my invention is susceptible of a wide range of adaptability and modification by the exercise of skill of those ordinarily cognizant with the art.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is i 1. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars, having respectively different lines of travel, of automatic means for insuring the movement of said cars in certain predetermined order one with relation to another, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars, having respectively different lines of travel, of automatic means for indicating to the operator in one of said cars the position of another of said cars to enable said cars to be operated with regularity, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars, having respectively diiferent lines of travel, of controlling means for one car operable automatically by another car at a predetermined point in the travel of the latter, substantially as described.

4:. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars, of governing means at the end of travel of one car operable automatically by movement of another car to a predetermined point in the travel of the latter, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars, having respectively different lines of travel, of audible indicating means for one car operable automatically by movement of another car to a predetermined point in its travel, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars, having respectively different lines of travel, of automatic car-controlling means operatedby the movement of a plurality of said cars simultaneously into predetermined positions, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars, having respectively different 'lines of travel, of car-controlling means constructed to automatically lock said cars at predetermined points, and automatic means operated from one car to automatically unlock the governing means for another car, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars, having respectively different lines of travel, provided respectively with shipping mechanism, of means to lock said shipping mechanism, and automatic means to unlock the shipping mechanism of one car when another has reached a predetermined position, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars,of indicating and locking mechanism for each and automatic means for operating the indicating and locking mechanism of one car by movement of another car, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars, having respectively different lines of travel, of eleetrically-actuated governing means governing the movements of one car by the movements of another car, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars, having respectively different lines of travel, of electrically controlled means indicating through the movements of one car certain positions of another car, substantially as described.

12. The combination With a plurality of traveling ears having respectively different lines of travel, of electrically controlled means for insuring movement of said ears in desired order one with relation to another, and circuit-controlling devices at fixed points in the travel of said cars to govern the opera tion of said electrically-controlled means, sub stantially as described.

13. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars having respectively different lines of travel, of electrically controlled means for insuring movement of said cars in desired order one with relation to another, and circuit-eontrollin g devices governing said means, movement of a plurality of said cir cult-controlling devices into predetermined position simultaneously, being necessary for effective operation of said means, substair tially as described.

l-l. The combination with a plurality of traveling cars having respectively different lines of travel, of electrically controlled means for insuring the movement of said ears in desired order, one with relation to another, and circuit-controlling devices operated by movement of said cars and governing said means, some of said circuit-controlling de vices after movement by a car automatically resuming original position when released by movement of said car, others of said circuitcontrolling devices remaining always in position where left by movement oi a car until positively changed into different position by movements of a dillferent car, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FREDE tlflli L. EMPIRE".

Titnesses:

JOHN Cowrnn .ltnwamm, AUGUSTA E. DEAN. 

